Supported Employment
'He Helped Shape Who We Are'
April 15, 2026
Doug celebrates 30 years at work sharp
For thirty years, Doug has been part of what makes Work Sharp's production floor come alive. Earlier this year, the company found a way to say thank you: a limited-edition knife made in his honor that sold out almost immediately.
Based in Ashland, Work Sharp designs and engineers its sharpening products and knives in Southern Oregon. Doug is a member of the company's "Power Crew," a group of six talented coworkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities who play an important role in the production process.
an impact beyond a job well done
Over the years, Doug and the Power Crew have helped assemble components, build Drill Doctor Chucks, and make sure packaging is dialed in to hit retail shelves. Like everyone on the team, Doug takes pride in doing the job well. But his impact goes beyond the work itself.
COO Grant Loberg explained, "Doug has a gift for making people feel valued. He remembers something special about everyone in the workshop including asking me about my kids and their activities by name."
"For decades, Dougie’s consistency, humility, and laughter have helped shape our company’s culture for the better." — Grant Loberg, Work Sharp COO
Where Culture takes shape
The Power Crew works in the heart of the production floor, and anyone who walks through the area gets a lift from the crew's positive energy. As Loberg shared, "For decades, Dougie’s consistency, humility, and laughter have helped shape our company’s culture for the better."
Juana, Nicole and Wyatt at the centrally located power crew table.
It is a culture Work Sharp creates with intention. The company located the Power Crew near the coffee break room to maximize interaction with the rest of the workforce. "Dougie and the rest of the Power Crew have become a part of who we are, and a part of a community that cares deeply about each other," Loberg said.
That approach reflects Work Sharp’s core values of love and respect—holding one another in high esteem, looking out for each other’s well-being, and embracing people for who they are.
More than a milestone
To celebrate his milestone, Work Sharp released the limited-edition RMX knife, and donated ten dollars from every sale to Living Opportunities. Doug is a huge Dallas Cowboys fan, and the knife's silver and blue colors are a nod to that. The campaign raised more than $4,000. Then, in a gesture that says just as much about the partnership as the knife itself, Work Sharp added another $1,000, bringing the total donation to $5,000.
Stories like Doug’s don’t happen by accident. They are made possible by businesses like Work Sharp that choose to lead with inclusion and invest in their people over time. Their commitment to long-term employment and a connected workplace culture creates opportunities where people can truly belong.
Doug's story is a reminder that meaningful work is about more than a job. It is about pride, belonging, and being part of something bigger. After three decades, Doug is not just a coworker at Work Sharp. He is part of the company's story, and part of what makes that workplace stronger.
Local businesses play a vital role in building a strong community. Living Opportunities partners with employers to identify roles, provide training support, and ensure a successful match for both the employee and the business. Click here to learn more.
If you are interested in learning how inclusive employment can strengthen your team, please contact our Job Developer Blaine Lindsey to start the conversation.
Get in Touch
Blaine Lindsey
Business & Donor Relations
blaine.lindsey@livingopps.org